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Overstrength Requirement for Seismic Design of Diaphragms Login

When applying the amplified seismic load with a system overstrength factor of 2 as Reader Resources
required by Table I-4-1 of the 2002 Seismic Provisions, what overstrength factor should
be used for the roof diaphragm? Do I need to apply the same factor? Steel in the News
Question sent to AISC's Steel Solutions Center Industry happenings, auctions, firms
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Answer
SteelWise
The diaphragm is part of the seismic force resisting system, including the collectors and Practical technical articles produced
chords. The Seismic Provisions apply only to structural steel elements and their by AISC's Steel Solutions Center.
connections in the seismic force-resisting system and would therefore cover structural
Quality Corner
steel chords and collectors. However, the Seismic Provisions do not require that any
Insights into AISC's Quality
element in the diaphragm be designed with an overstrength factor. Certification program.
Therefore, to determine whether the diaphragm needs to be designed using an
overstrength factor, you have to turn to the applicable building code or ASCE 7. For Career Resources
example, Section 12.10.2.1 of ASCE 7-05 requires collector elements in Seismic Design A collection of articles relating to
Category C, D, E, or F to be designed for the load combinations with the overstrength professional development.
factor.
Steel Utilities
Table I-4-1 in the 2002 Seismic Provisions applies only in the absence of a specific A forum for posting and downloading
definition of overstrength factor in the applicable building code (Section 4.1 of Part I). software tools.
The 2005 seismic provisions no longer include Table I-4-1; instead, they directly
reference the applicable building code or ASCE 7-05 for the overstrength factors. Steel Interchange
Nothing has really changed--the intent of the provisions has just been clarified. Answers to technical questions posed
by MSC readers and others to the
In general, the overstrength factor for the system, whatever it may be for your case, is AISC Steel Solutions Center.
applied to the components that are intended to remain elastic. A good explanation of
this requirement can be found in Commentary C12.4.3 of ASCE 7-05. Steel Availability
Kurt Gustafson, S.E., P.E. Find structural shapes in common
American Institute of Steel Construction grades of steel.

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